Posted in #4 Family of Man

Blog#4CJackson

  Published Date: October 1, 2017  2 Comments on Blog#4CJackson

Christopher Jackson

The Family of Man

Human rights simple sounding and at first glance some would say it is just common sense. These Human rights are supposedly inherited rights belonging to all human beings. This is regardless of nationality, sex, ethnic or racial origin, religion, or any other status. All human beings are said to be entitled to these rights without discrimination. They are irrevocable, universal, and must be respected under all circumstances. A Mark Mazower’s article does focus on human rights and the United Nation’s commitment to them. Mazower’s article affirms the supposed sanctity of human rights. Though he points out that they are often disregarded rather than respected. This is quite odd when one considers that this idea spans roughly the whole world. Admittedly the idea is not really all that old and was not intended to influence governmental practices. During and after the world wars talk of these rights were not as common as they are today. Which is understandable since protecting such right would demand a restriction of a state’s power over its people. It would take an absurdly moral system if government to even consider conceding so much power. Things have changed, but it is doubtful that things have changed for the better. Powers such as the U.S., Britain, and many others now have had decades to discuss this topic. Though there have still been several problems. Issues such as racial equality, and national interest would get in the way. Mazower points out that America found a common ground for these issues. Agreeing that national conventions would not directly interfere with a state’s internal affairs. Provided of course the state in question held the conditions acceptable for the agreed upon principle of humanity and human rights.  

Author: chrisj3

2 thoughts on “Blog#4CJackson”

  1. While nations in the UN often agree on what are Human Rights, it seems that more often than not that these rights end up being Civil Rights, as other countries cannot intervene with the citizens of another country.

  2. The problem I see in human rights is the willingness of the State to choose what is morally right over right for the majority of its people. For some, the ways they treat others is so ingrained into their socially, political, civic, and even religious history that true equality for nations and the people who live there will almost be impossible. The UN has been trying, sometimes successfully but most of the time not, to influence others to change their ways. Without a true way of enforcing the rights of citizens of a country who are being oppressed, there will be little to no progress. Not in our lifetime at least.

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